TheBoeing C-97 Stratofreighter is a long-range heavy military cargo aircraft developed from theB-29 andB-50 bombers. Design work began in 1942, the first of three prototype XC-97s flew on 9 November 1944 and the first of six service-test YC-97s flew on 11 March 1947. All nine were based on the 24ST alloy structure andWright R-3350 engines of the B-29, but with a larger-diameter fuselage upper lobe (making a figure of eight or "double-bubble" section) and they had the B-29 vertical tail with the gunner's position blanked off. The first of three heavily revised YC-97A incorporating the re-engineered wing (higher-strength 75ST alloy), taller vertical tail and largerPratt & Whitney R-4360 engines of the B-50 bomber, flew on 28 January 1948 and was the basis of the subsequent sole YC-97B, all production C-97s, KC-97s and civilian Stratocruiser aircraft. Between 1944 and 1958, 888 C-97s in several versions were built, 811 being KC-97 tankers.[1][2] C-97s served in theBerlin Airlift, theKorean War, and theVietnam War. Some aircraft served as flying command posts for theStrategic Air Command, while others were modified for use in Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadrons (ARRS).
The C-97 Stratofreighter was developed towards the end ofWorld War II by fitting a second lobe on top of the fuselage and wings of theB-29 Superfortress with the tail, wing, and engine layout being nearly identical.[3] The XC-97 and YC-97 can be distinguished from theBoeing 377 Stratocruiser and later C-97s by the shorter fin, and later ones by the flying boom and jet engines on the tanker models.
The prototype XC-97 was powered by the same 2,200 hp (1,600 kW)Wright R-3350 engines as used in the B-29. The XC-97 took off for its first flight on November 9, 1944,[4] just after the death of Boeing presidentPhilip G. Johnson.
YC-97 Stratofreighter with the shorter fin and smaller engines of the B-29 in 1947
On 9 January 1945, the first prototype, piloted by Major Curtin L. Reinhardt, flew fromSeattle toWashington, D.C. in 6 hours 4 minutes, an average speed of 383 mph (616 km/h) with 20,000 lb (9,100 kg) of cargo. The tenth and all subsequent aircraft were fitted with the 3,500 hp (2,600 kW)Pratt & Whitney Wasp Major engines and taller fin and rudder of theB-50 Superfortress.[3]
The C-97 had clamshell doors under its tail so that two retractable ramps could be used to drive in cargo, but it was not atactical airlifter able to deliver to primitive forward bases. The doors could not be opened in flight, but could be removed to carry out air drops. The C-97 had a useful payload of 35,000 lb (16,000 kg), which could include two2½-ton trucks, towed artillery, or light tracked vehicles such as theM56 Scorpion. The C-97 featured cabin pressurization, which made long flights more comfortable.
The C-97 was developed into the civilian Boeing 377 Stratocruiser, a transoceanic airliner that could be fitted with sleeper cabins and featured a lower deck lounge. The first Stratocruiser flew on July 8, 1947. Only 56 were built.[5]
The C-97 entered service in 1947, during a period of rapid development of heavy transport aircraft. Only 77 were built before theDouglas C-124 Globemaster II was delivered in 1950, with nearly twice the payload capacity of the C-97. TheUSAFStrategic Air Command operated C-97 Stratofreighters from 1949 to 1978. Early in its service life, it served as an airborne alternative SAC command post. While only 77 C-97 transports were built, 811 were built as KC-97 Stratofreighters for inflight refueling. TheKC-97 began to be phased out with the introduction of theBoeing KC-135 Stratotanker in 1957. Many KC-97s were later refitted as C-97G transports and equipped several squadrons of the U.S. Air National Guard.
One YC-97A (45–59595) was used in theBerlin Airlift during April 1949, operating for the 1st Strategic Support Squadron. It suffered a landing gear accident atGatow and by the time it was repaired, the Soviet Blockade was lifted.
C-97s evacuated casualties during theKorean War. C-97s also participated in theBiafran airlift, delivering relief materials toUli airstrip inBiafra during theNigerian Civil War. Flying under the cover of darkness and at treetop level to evade radar, at least two C-97s were lost.[6]
Only one C-97 is still airworthy at the present day,[when?] (S/N 52-2718, named "Angel of Deliverance") operated by the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation. It is painted as YC-97A 45–59595, the only C-97 to participate in the Berlin Airlift.
The Israelis turned to Stratocruisers and KC-97s when they could not buy the preferred C-130.[7] They adapted Boeing 377 Stratocruiser airliners into transports, including many using C-97 tail sections including the loading ramps.[citation needed] Others were adapted with swiveling tails and refueling pods.[7] One Israeli C-97 was downed by an EgyptianSA-2 Guideline missile on 17 September 1971, while flying as an electronic counter-measures platform some 12 miles from theSuez Canal.[8][9]
military designation of the prototype Boeing 367, three built.
YC-97
cargo transport, six built.
C-97A Stratofreighter 49-2607 of Minnesota Air National Guard (1960)
YC-97A
troop carrier, three built.
YC-97B
fitted with 80 airliner-style seats, later redesignated C-97B, in 1954 became C-97D, retired to MASDC 15 December 1969.[10]
C-97A
transport, 50 built.
KC-97A
Three C-97As were converted into aerial refueling tankers with rear loading door removed and a flight refueling boom added. After the design was proven, they were converted back into the standard C-97A.
C-97C
Second production version, 14 built; those used as medical evacuation transports during the Korean War were designated MC-97C.[11]
VC-97D
staff transport and flying command post conversions, three C-97As converted.[12]
USAF C-97A48-0398 crashed nearKelly Air Force Base due to a possible asymmetric flap extension on takeoff, killing all nine crew on board.[18]
15 October 1951
After taking off fromLajes Field, Azores, USAF C-97A49-2602 of theMilitary Air Transport Service went missing on a flight from Lajes AFB (LFB), Azores toWestover Air Force Base, Massachusetts. The aircraft was piloted by Captain John Francis Dailey Jr. and had a crew of 11. A total of 50 aircraft and ships searched the intended route but no trace of the aircraft or crew was ever found.[19][20]
22 October 1951
USAF C-97A48-0413 crashed and burned next to a runway at Kelly AFB, killing four of six on board.[21]
22 March 1957
USAF C-97C50-0702en route toTokyo wentmissing over thePacific Ocean, with 10 crew and 57 passengers on board. It is the deadliest incident ever involving the C-97.[22]
8 August 1957
USAF C-97 en route to Hawaii from US. No.1 engine lost its propeller and damaged No.2 engine. Aircraft flew for 5 hours at 150 ft altitude to land at Hilo.[23]
19 January 1958
USAF C-97A49-2597 en route toKwajalein from Honoluluwent missing over the Pacific Ocean with seven crew on board. The U.S. Navy confirmed that debris found 277 miles to the southwest of Honolulu, was wreckage of the plane.[24]
29 June 1964
USAF HC-97G52-2773, along with USAF HC-54D42-72590, were performing pararescue training and photography missions for the NASA Gemini program when the HC-54 banked to the right, colliding with the HC-97 and shearing off the wing and tail section; both aircraft crashed in the water off Bermuda, killing 17 on board both aircraft; seven survived after they jumped before the aircraft collided. The cause was probably incapacitation of the HC-54 pilot.[25]
26 September 1969
A Nordchurchaid C-97G, (N52676), struck trees and crashed while on final approach toUli Airstrip, killing all five on board.[26]
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